Warning: UN wants to regulate the Internet

Starr Keshet, 17th December 2010

The United Nations is reportedly mulling the formation of an inter-governmental working group to "harmonize" global efforts by policy makers to regulate the Internet.

The concept - spearheaded by Brazil - has already won the backing of several countries including India, South Africa, China and Saudi Arabia.

If formed, the working group would attempt to create global standards for "policing" the Internet in an effort to counter purportedly rogue sites like WikiLeaks.

Predictably, the Brazilian delegate to the UN emphasized that the entity would not attempt to "take over" the Internet.

Nevertheless, representatives from Australia, US, UK, Belgium and Canada expressed concern over the proposal to create yet another working group, noting that such an entity would do little more than isolate itself from the industry and general public.

"My concern is that if we were to make a move to form a governmental-only body then that would send a very strong signal to civil society that their valuable contribution was not required or was not being looked for," an Australian UN rep told Brazilian delegates.

Both countries routinely censor and monitor the Internet in an effort to maintain their grip on power. As such, terms like "privacy," "civil liberty," "warrant," and "court order" mean little to either state.

Sure, the United States isn't exactly perfect when it comes to allowing the free flow of information and respecting the digital rights of its citizens.

Still, I'd rather take my chances with a less-than-perfect system than fall victim to a UN controlled digital highway that would be quickly become choked with the rotting stench of incompetence and corruption.